In a development underscoring the intricate interplay between federal authority and military discipline, Nigeria’s Ministry of State for Defence has affirmed that Lieutenant Ahmad Mohammed Yerima will face no sanctions following his widely publicized verbal standoff with Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike on November 11, 2025, at Plot 1946 in Gaduwa District, Abuja.
The incident, captured in a viral video that has garnered millions of views across social media, occurred during Wike’s unannounced enforcement visit aimed at halting unauthorized construction on a 5,000-square-meter parcel allegedly linked to retired Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, Nigeria’s 21st Chief of Naval Staff (2021–2023).
Accompanied by officials from the FCT Department of Development Control, Wike sought to enforce a stop-work order, only to be blocked by naval personnel led by Lt. Yerima, who cited superior orders to secure the site. The minister accused the developers of lacking valid documentation and violating zoning laws designating the area as a green buffer zone along the Buffer Transit Southern Parkway.
Speaking exclusively to DCL Hausa radio on November 13, Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle, a former Zamfara State governor appointed in August 2023, defended Lt. Yerima’s conduct as “exemplary, respectful, and fully compliant with military regulations.”
Matawalle emphasized that the junior officer was merely executing lawful directives and should not have been confronted publicly. “If Minister Wike had concerns, he should have engaged the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, or myself directly, rather than engaging a subordinate on-site,” Matawalle stated.
He revealed that Wike had already consulted both the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and Vice Admiral Ogalla prior to the visit, with assurances that the matter would be investigated yet proceeded regardless. Matawalle commended Yerima’s composure, noting, “He stood his ground without disrespect, proving discipline under pressure.”
The disputed land, acquired by Gambo in 2020 with a Right of Occupancy (R of O) from the FCT Administration, became the focal point of a larger crackdown initiated by Wike since assuming office in August 2023.
In early November 2025, the FCT Administration revoked over 1,600 land titles—including portions of the Gaduwa plot—citing non-compliance with development guidelines, failure to pay ground rents, and encroachment on public infrastructure zones. Wike’s administration alleges that construction began in September 2025 without approved building plans, environmental impact assessments, or adherence to setback requirements.
However, emerging reports suggest Gambo may have been ensnared in a sophisticated land fraud scheme, a chronic issue in Abuja where up to 40 percent of property titles are contested, according to Transparency International’s 2025 Nigeria Land Governance Index. Some revoked plots, including adjacent parcels, were subsequently reallocated to high-ranking officials, such as INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, fueling accusations of selective enforcement.
Under Matawalle’s directive, Vice Admiral Ogalla has launched a comprehensive internal investigation into the plot’s title validity, the deployment of naval guards, and the chain of command authorizing site protection. As of November 13, no formal complaint has been received from the FCT Administration, hinting at potential behind-the-scenes negotiations.
The Defence Headquarters reinforced institutional support for Lt. Yerima with a cryptic November 12 social media post quoting, “Discipline is the soul of an army,” widely interpreted as an endorsement of the officer’s restraint amid provocation. Separate accounts indicate that FCT enforcement officers were briefly manhandled by accompanying soldiers, though no injuries were reported.
Wike, known for his confrontational governance style honed during eight years as Rivers State governor, has framed the incident as part of a broader war against elite impunity in Abuja’s $10 billion annual real estate market. In a press briefing, he declared, “The FCT is not a personal estate. No one—military or civilian—will intimidate lawful authority.”
His administration recently extended a November 25 deadline for title regularization, having demolished over 200 illegal structures in upscale districts like Maitama and Asokoro since October. Critics, including former Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), have condemned Wike’s approach as a “direct threat to national security,” arguing it erodes trust between civilian leadership and the armed forces.
Senator Shehu Sani similarly cautioned against “public stunts with soldiers,” while legal experts remain divided: one Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) argued Yerima’s obstruction of a federal minister constituted insubordination, whereas Abuja-based counsel Hameed Ajibola Jimoh praised Wike’s resolve but faulted the naval team’s resistance.
As the naval probe unfolds, the Gaduwa confrontation has spotlighted systemic challenges in Nigeria’s capital: opaque land allocation processes, inter-agency rivalries, and the lingering influence of retired military officers in urban development. With preliminary findings expected within weeks, stakeholders advocate for transparent resolution to avert further escalation.
For Lt. Yerima, the episode has transformed a routine security detail into a national symbol of military decorum, while Wike’s unrelenting enforcement campaign signals that Abuja’s urban renewal remains a high-stakes battleground for accountability and reform.